Last week, I wrote a post about a 1979 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon, and waxed on a bit about GM’s big 1977 B-body (full-size) downsizing and how it proved to be a big sales success. Today, I’d like to take a look at Oldsmobile’s take on the General’s downsizing by way of a 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham. This 76K-mile example, surfaced by Tony P. and residing in Sacramento, California, is in pretty fair shape and is a sound example of what kept GM’s middle division a significant go-to brand through the eighties. Here on craigslist, is where you’ll find this stately-looking Oldsmobile four-door sedan, and it’s available for $10,000.
In 1983, Oldsmobile still produced both the luxury-oriented, longer wheelbase Ninety-Eight as well as several trim levels of the more sedate Eighty-Eight, including the Delta 88 Sedan, Delta 88 Royale in coupe and four-door sedan body styles, and the Delta 88 Royale Brougham (bro-ham if you prefer) also in coupe and four-door sedan variations. Oh, and not to be left out was a Custom Cruiser station wagon. Our subject Delta 88 Royale is one of 133K assembled in ’83, while the total Eighty-Eight production count fell just shy of 200K units. Finished in a typically bland, but very popular “Sandstone” hue, this Olds still wears a nice shine, with strong chrome, intact bumper fillers, and a sound-looking vinyl top. The wire wheel covers were all the rage in the eighties, and the new “Vogue” tires are a matter of subjective, and expensive, taste. It would have been nice to get an image or two of this sedan out from under its lean-to, but that’s all the listing included.
Powering this rig is a 140 net HP, Oldsmobile 307 CI V8 (not to be confused with Chevrolet’s 307 V8 offered between ’68 and ’73) married up to a standard equipment three-speed automatic transmission (a four-speed O/D unit was an option). The seller claims, “runs great“, and “Known for a smooth, comfortable ride…”
Check out that velour upholstered monogrammed front bench seat! I must say it seems odd that the monogram is part of the seat bottom and not the backrest, so I’m not sure what to make of that; it seems awkward to be parking one’s derriere on a crest of sorts. The stock interior image of a Delta Royale Brougham’s interior that I uncovered reveals no such artwork, so I’m thinking it’s a later add-on. Beyond that, the innards are pretty standard fare for GM in the mid-eighties. The instrument panel is simple and uninformative, the steering wheel has blown out a small chunk, and the rear seat appears to be in a more worn state than its personalized front companion.
Anyway you measure it, these were popular, dependable, and affordable upscale cars. The V8, rear-wheel drive configuration, one that is rare today, was ubiquitous and taken for granted 43 years ago – my, how times have changed! And it only took about twenty years from this car’s birth for the entire Oldsmobile division to simply disappear – a sad story indeed! Someone will scoop up this sedan, though I don’t know if the seller will attain his ask. What do you think, is this one priced right, or not quite?
Love the front seats!
Beautiful, roomy and comfortable cars.
Yes, I think the price is right. You just don’t see early 80s cars much less finding one this nice. I hope someone gives it a good home
The era of parts falling off indiscriminately on ‘merican iron. Or just rust away. And why Japan clobbered them.
You could get a Toyota that would run for 200K miles and required very little along the way.
This sort of car isn’t terribly uncommon in California, a fair number of older people have this style of car socked away in garages.
Why would a seller was the car and take pictures in a garage if it “runs great”? Patient and persistent potential buyers in area with a temperate climate can find something similar for significantly less.
Steve R
Overall it looks really good. I may be wrong but I dont think that trim on the roof is GM factory, maybe it had an aftermarket carriage top on it? If its a 3 speed it may be the THM350 which is a good transmission. Hopefully NOT a THM 200. You’d have to crawl underneath and make sure you don’t see the word Metric on the pan. Hope it goes to a good home.
I’d say it’s been fooled with a bit. The faux convertible top trim by the vinyl top? Those front seats? Those are redone & probably reflect the owners initials.
Definitely been fooled with a bit. All the things you said, plus the front end sits a bit high.
And if it’s the V-8, it’s the four-speed. If it’s a 3-speed, then it’s the V-6.
I remember when the 80s Chevy, Olds, Pontiac, & Cadillac 4 doors were a dime a dozen.